Skymasters' last
bowFrom Ad Astra, February 1993 (Text written out below)

Skymasters' last bow

44 Squadron's
Skymasters have recently proved that up to their last performance
their sturdy airframes were far from exhausted. The event was AFB
Waterkloof's Prestige Parade, so it was the perfect venue for an all
time record. All seven of the DC-4's used in the SAAF were flying in
a formation and proudly so.

This was achieved by a tremendous team effort of the Squadron's
ground crew under the command of Capt Keith Andrew.

Aboard one of the aircraft was, however, another champion: Col
Kallie Minnaar (SSO Support Air­ craft) holds the record in the
SAAF for the most flying hours on a DC-4, namely 3 500. It was thus
also a suitable way of bading the Colonel goodbye, as he is retiring
at the end of February.

Few people were aware that Skymaster 6904, flying in the back
position of the formation, was also the very last model on the
production line of the Douglas Aircraft Company. This youngest
member of the Skymaster team will in future form part of South
African Airways' (SAA) Historical Museum, turning the wheel full
circle.

The SAA initially started buying these specific aircraft in
December 1945. The SAAF received its first four DC-4's in January
1966 and another four at a later stage. One of the fleet burnt out
at Rand Airport in the early 1980's, which left the seven aircraft
in the formation behind.

Through the years the Skymasters proved to be one of the most
popular passenger aircraft in the SAAF, transporting troops to and
forth from the operational area and f lying VIP and other visitor
groups to the border or elsewhere.

Despite their age (production ceased in 1947) the Skymasters have
shown at numerous events that it was made of sturdier stuff. At the
1991 Air Transport Force Preparation Camp the DC-4's won the
tactical navigation section and last year they ended third at the
same venue. It was also a Skymaster which ended third among the more
than 70 aircraft partaking in the Silver Queen Air Race last
year.

With a formation performance never to be forgotten in mind, we
wish these venerable flying machines a well-earned rest: we will not
forget you.

Bye, Master of the SkyFrom Ad Astra, September 1994 (Text written out
below)

Bye, Master
of the Sky

by Lt Elza Thiart

When the big master of the sky rolled to a
final standstill against the orange sunset, he walked slowly towards
the darkened aircraft, a sad song emanating from his bagpipes and
the on looking men grew silent.

Then suddenly the Skymaster-lovers cheered as
the crew of the final SA Air Force DC-4 flight emerged from their
aircraft to be served French champagne.

This was the sad sight at 44 Squadron on
Wednesday, 3 August 1994 as Skymaster 6905 completed the final
flight of a DC-4 in SAAF service.

The Skymaster was officially phased out of
service at the end of 1992, when four of the five passenger aircraft
ceased operations. Three aircraft remained in service - 6901 and
6906 for electronic warfare operations, and 6905 for training and
force preparation.

On that last day, 6901 was on static display
and formed the backdrop to the function in the
hanger.

Touched
crews

It was a touching moment for the present and
past Skymaster crews when the roaring Pratt and Whitney engines were
shut down for the last time. There were certainly a few lumps in
throats as many a fond story was remembered and exchanged. The DC-4
number 6905 even received a kiss from one of her most loyal fans:
Fsgt "Mannetjies" Wilken. Fsgt Wilken has the most hours on type of
the present squadron crews.

When, why and what
for?

In January 1966 the SAAF's DC-4's arrived at
AFB Swartkop. These were four former South African Airways (SAA)
aircraft which had spent their last years at SAA flying on the
internal schedule routes and transporting spare DC-7 engines to the
Comoros Islands.

The aircraft had all been newly purchased by
SAA between 1945 and 1947 for use on the famous Johannes­ burg
to London "Springbok Service". Another aircraft was obtained in the
late 1966 and three more in the late 1970's. Sadly, on 24 November
1980, 6903 was burnt out in an accident while in a servicing
hanger.

Skymaster 6904 is worthy of a special mention.
This aircraft was the last of the 1165 C-54/DC-4's built, and was
operated by SAA before being purchased by the SAAF. On 30 June 1962
this aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision with a SAAF
Harvard trainer while on final approach for a bad weather landing at
Louis Botha Airport in Durban.

The Harvard sliced through the DC-4's tail, but
fortunately the crew managed to land safely and save the aircraft.
The son of the co-pilot, Maj Gerhard Duvenhage, is presently a
C-47TP pilot at 44 Squadron.

While in SAAF service the Skymaster was widely
used as a passenger and VIP transport aircraft and is probably best
remembered for transporting entertainment groups to and from the
operational area. A far lesser known role of the DC-4 was that of
electronic warfare. This involved electronic reconnaissance and real
time support of aerial strikes during the Bush and Angolan wars.
Although little can be said about this side of the DC- 4's
operations, it is interesting to note that an Angolan Mig 21 fighter
failed to intercept 6901, (better known as the "Spook"), whilst the
aircraft was in support of an air strike.

The Skymasters of 44 Squadron surely did a
great job and their final retirement, sad as it is, is well-earned.
Their familiar shape and sound will al­ ways be remembered:
Master of the Sky.